The Black Sea Fleet is strengthening its combat potential with a planned update that includes three Karakurt class small missile carriers and a patrol ship, according to Vice Admiral Viktor Sokolov, the fleet commander. He discussed these developments in an interview with Red Star, confirming that the fleet’s renewal program will take a definitive step forward this year.
Looking ahead to 2023, Sokolov outlined plans to incorporate a new patrol ship and the latest trio of Karakurt RTOs, each equipped with high-precision missiles. This expansion is framed as a response to evolving security requirements in the region and a move to enhance surface warfare capabilities for the fleet operating in the western seas.
The RTOs are equipped with precision strike weapons, notably the Caliber cruise missiles, which expand the fleet’s reach and precision across maritime operation zones. These capabilities are designed to enable extended-range strikes and accurate targeting against dispersed ground and sea-based objectives, contributing to a more flexible and rapid response posture for the Black Sea Fleet.
Previously, Sokolov noted that Black Sea Fleet ships armed with Kalibr sea-based missiles were active from the outset of the ongoing special operation, having conducted more than 180 launches against targets associated with Ukrainian forces. This statement underscored the fleet’s sustained operational tempo and its role in shaping the theater through long-range, precision engagements.
On March 4, the Baltic Fleet’s press service announced the initiation of exercises in the Baltic Sea involving Karakurt class ships equipped with Caliber missiles. The participating vessels included the Karakurt project ships Odintsovo and Sovetsk, along with the small Rocket Ship Zeleny Dol and the Buyan-M project Dimitrovgrad. The training emphasized the interoperability and readiness of these platforms in joint maritime operations, reflecting a broader pattern of integrated exercises across Russia’s naval forces.
Earlier in the year, the Karakurt platform, designated Project 22800, emerged in factory sea trials in the Baltic Sea, carrying Caliber and Onyx missiles. The progression of these trials marks a step toward expanded operational deployment and demonstrates the navy’s ongoing modernization program aimed at boosting sea-based precision strike capabilities, surface warfare endurance, and fleet-wide combat readiness. The ongoing development activity aligns with strategic goals to maintain a resilient and capable fleet across multiple theaters and operational environments.